Mark 1 | Devotional - Bible Reading and Prayer - One Chapter a Day 

Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to our One Chapter per day Bible reading time.

By God’s grace, today we will read Mark chapter 1.
This chapter opens the Gospel with power and urgency, introducing the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We see John the Baptist preparing the way, calling people to repentance, and pointing them to the One who is to come. We witness Jesus being baptized, tested in the wilderness, and then beginning His ministry—proclaiming that the kingdom of God has come near. As Jesus calls His first disciples and heals those who are suffering, we see both His authority and His compassion revealed.

Let us come with attentive hearts and humble spirits as we listen to God’s Word together.

Mark Chapter 1 Introduction:

Mark chapter 1 opens the Gospel of Mark with a powerful and fast-moving presentation of Jesus Christ and the beginning of His public ministry. Unlike Matthew, Mark does not begin with a genealogy or birth narrative but immediately focuses on action, authority, and purpose. This chapter introduces Jesus as the Son of God and shows how God’s plan of salvation begins to unfold through preaching, repentance, and divine power. Mark 1 sets the tone for the entire Gospel by emphasizing urgency, obedience, and the transforming presence of Christ.

Main Content of Mark Chapter 1:

The Ministry of John the Baptist (verses 1–8)
The chapter begins with the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy through John the Baptist, who prepares the way for the Lord. John calls the people to repentance and baptizes them in the Jordan River, proclaiming the coming of One far greater than himself. His message highlights the need for spiritual readiness and points directly to Jesus, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus (verses 9–13)
Jesus is baptized by John, and as He comes up out of the water, the heavens open, the Spirit descends like a dove, and God’s voice declares, “You are My beloved Son.” Immediately after this affirmation, Jesus is led into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. This scene reveals both Jesus’ divine identity and His willingness to fully enter into human struggle, remaining faithful to God’s mission.

The Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry and the Call of the First Disciples (verses 14–20)
After John’s arrest, Jesus begins His ministry in Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God and calling people to repent and believe the gospel. He then calls Simon, Andrew, James, and John, who immediately leave their former lives to follow Him. This section emphasizes the authority of Jesus’ call and the urgency of responding in obedience.

Jesus’ Authority in Teaching and Miracles (verses 21–34)
Jesus teaches in the synagogue at Capernaum with authority, astonishing those who hear Him. He casts out an unclean spirit and heals many who are sick or oppressed, demonstrating His power over both spiritual and physical realms. These acts confirm that the kingdom of God is breaking into the world through Jesus.

Prayer, Preaching, and Compassion (verses 35–45)
Jesus rises early to pray, showing His dependence on the Father. He continues traveling throughout Galilee to preach and heal, and the chapter concludes with the healing of a man with leprosy. Moved with compassion, Jesus touches and cleanses the man, revealing both His power and His deep love for those who are broken and marginalized.

Spiritual Significance of Mark Chapter 1:

Mark chapter 1 reveals Jesus as the Son of God who comes with authority, compassion, and purpose. The rapid pace of the chapter reminds us that God’s kingdom is active and urgent, calling for immediate response. From repentance to discipleship, from teaching to healing, every moment points to the nearness of God’s reign through Christ.

This chapter invites us to examine our own response to Jesus’ call—are we ready to repent, believe, and follow Him without delay? As we begin our reading of Mark, chapter 1 reminds us that Jesus enters our world with power and mercy, calling ordinary people into an extraordinary journey of faith and transformation.

Mark Chapter 1 YouTube Bible Reading and Prayer Video:

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way”—

3 

“a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”

4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Baptism and Testing of Jesus

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

Jesus Announces the Good News

14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him.

19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit

21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek.

27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

Jesus Heals Many

29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place

35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.

43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.